Category Archives: Horticulture Reports

Horticulture Report: Coffeeberry

Posted on by

Plant Name: Rhamnus californica ‘Eve Case’
Common name: Coffeeberry
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 6’ – 8’
Spread: 6’ – 8’
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: Greenish White
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Soil Requirements: Will grow in most soils
Water Needs: Low Water Needs; Drought Tolerant
Attributes: It has dark green leaves on reddish stems. After flowering, berries follow that are first green then red and finally black when ripe. Fast growing shrub. Fairly deer resistant.
Note: High summer heat may cause fronds to brown by mid to late summer, particularly if good soil moisture is not maintained and/or plants are grown in too much sun.
Uses: Attracts Pollinators; Larval food source for Swallowtail Butterfly
Native to: North America
Oregon Native: NO- Native to California
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo /upload.wikimedia.org: Taken by Brofri [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Horticulture Report: Maidenhair Fern

Posted on by

Plant Name: Adiantum pediatum
Common name: Maidenhair Fern
Plant type: Fern
Height: 1’ – 2 ½’
Spread: 1’ – 1 ½’
Bloom Time: Not Applicable
Flower Color: Not Applicable
Exposure: Part Shade to Shade
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained, Humusy, Acidic, Moist Soil
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Finely textured, frilly fronds with curved stalks, fronds divided into finger-like projections. Wiry stems are reddish-brown to black. Coiled young fiddleheads emerge pink in spring.
Note: High summer heat may cause fronds to brown by mid to late summer, particularly if good soil moisture is not maintained and/or plants are grown in too much sun.
Uses: Attractive ornamental fern for the shaded border, woodland garden, shaded rock garden or native plant garden. Combine with broad leaves.
Native to: North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo by: Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report: Winterberry

Posted on by

Plant Name: Ilex verticillata, cross of Ilex verticillate & Ilex serrata
Common name: Winterberry
Plant type: deciduous, medium to tall shrub
Height: 4’-12’
Spread: 4’-10’
Bloom Time: May, June 
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full sun to Partial shade
Soil Requirements: average soil conditions.
Water Needs: average to low
Attributes: Grown for showy red winter berries on leafless stems. Berries feed overwintering birds.  Butterflies are attracted to flowers. Deer Resistant shrub.
Note: Winterberries are dioecious (separate male & female plants are needed for berry production; one male plant for 10-20 females. Flowers on new growth in late spring. Natural habitat Swamps, streams, river banks, near lakes or ponds.  
Uses: Stems are cut for use in winter floral displays.
Native to: China, Japan and Eastern North America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

*Link to “Guide to Growing Winterberry Holly”,  by: Stacey Hirvela  for Proven Winners: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/finding-right-plant/ultimate-guide-winterberry-holly

A few  varieties are: Berry Heavy ®, Berry Poppins™,  Jim Dandy (male)

Report by: Gena Goddard, Ashland Garden Club

Houseplant:Chinese Evergreen ‘Silver Bay’

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Aglaonema
Common name:  Chinese Evergreen ‘Silver Bay’
Plant type: Houseplant/Perennial
Height: 2-3ft
Width: 2-3ft
Attributes: Green/Silver variegated leaves, low maintenance
Growing conditions: indirect medium light; 60-70 degrees F, needs even moisture, but allow to slightly dry out between watering.  Keep away from drafts. Fertilize monthly.
Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous due to calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested they cause irritation of the mucous membranes. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Native to: Asia
USDA Zone: 10-11 outdoors, but mostly grown as a houseplant

Fall Color: Pineapple Sage!

Posted on by

Common Name: Pineapple Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia Elegans
Plant Type: Perennial (An annual in colder zones)
Height: 3- 4 ft
Width: 3-4 ft
Exposure: Full sun
Blooms: Scarlet-red exotic-looking tubular flowers
Bloom time: September to frost
Water Needs: Once establish needs only occasional watering
Attributes: Showy flowers, attracts hummingbirds. Culinary herb has a slight pineapple or citrus taste. Deer resistant! Easy Care, Waterwise plant
Uses: Culinary herb garden, Border gardens, Perennial gardens, Containers, Mass plantings, Poolside, Rock Gardens, Showy flowers.
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10